Laudato Si

Care for Our Common Home

This papal document calls us to dialogue regarding the nurture and care of the earth. It is 120 pages long, full of references to wisdom of the past and present (including our own NZ Catholic Bishops).

Pope Francis explicitly designates this encyclical as:

now added to the body of the Church’s social teaching. (15)

The Pope’s stated goal for the encyclical:

In this Encyclical, I would like to enter into dialogue with all people about our common home (3)

Ten Things to Know

In this short video Father James Martin SJ presents the ten things you need to know about Ladauto Si.

A great introduction particularly regarding the importance of this document to both Church and the global community.

What’s In A Name?

The title of the encyclical comes from St Francis of Assisi’s famous 13th century hymn praising nature and God’s creation. Recorded in San Damiano near Assisi, in this video Fr Christopher Whitehead from our Clifton Diocese reads the ‘Canticle of the Sun’ – sometimes known as the ‘Canticle of the Creatures’.

A Kiwi Speaks.

Bishop Charles Drennan of Palmerston North is interviewed by Radio New Zealand on Laudato Si.

Some Facts About Laudato Si

It is long -183 pages in PDF form, roughly 40,673 words

Only social encyclical with a vernacular title (Italian) rather than Latin

Pope Francis addressed this message to all people – most papal documents are addressed to the bishops of the Church or the lay faithful,.

The title comes from St. Francis of Assisi’s famous hymn, “The Canticle of Creatures”